Football League officials appear convinced Coventry City chairman Tim Fisher’s stated aim of relocating the club to Butts Park Arena is a realistic proposition.

The English Football League (EFL) refer to the proposals in a letter sent to Coventry North East MP Colleen Fletcher after the Labour politician raised constituents’ concerns with the governing body.

Responding to questions about the letter, sent to the Telegraph by a constituent, Mrs Fletcher said she remains to be convinced a move to Butts Park Arena is a realistic proposition.

She cited the lack of any planning application and the fact previous claims a new stadium would be built were never backed up.

Mrs Fletcher also expressed concern the EFL was not doing all it could to prevent the club leaving the city again and backed the stance of Coventry City Council leader, and Labour colleague, George Duggins not to engage with CCFC .

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In response to concerns about the club’s long term future, with CCFC’s deal to play at the Ricoh Arena due to expire in 2018, the EFL said: “The EFL’s focus is on the club’s playing arrangements beyond its existing agreement to play at the Ricoh Arena which expires in the summer of 2018.

“EFL regulations require clubs to play in the towns and cities from which they take their name or the area from which they are traditionally associated, subject to any temporary dispensations that might be granted by the EFL board in exceptional circumstances.

“Coventry City are well aware of the EFL’s requirements and it is our understanding that the Sky Blues are focused on trying to achieve a ground sharing arrangement with Coventry RFC at Butts Park Arena.

“We also understand that the two clubs are in positive ongoing dialogue with Coventry City calling on Coventry City Council to give “active support” to the plans.”

The language of the letter is strikingly similar to public statements issued by CCFC chairman Tim Fisher in recent weeks.

There is also no mention of a the modifications that would need to take place in order for professional football to be played at the ground, or the fact that there is yet to be a planning application submitted.

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Coventry City have requested support for the plans from the council , but leader Cllr George Duggins has repeatedly insisted the local authority will not engage with CCFC above its legal duties while the clubs’ owners pursue legal action against the council. He has also been clear that a planning application for Butts Park Arena would be handled in exactly the same way as any other, given the planning committee are governed by strict legal guidelines.

Mrs Fletcher is a former councillor who served during the height of the Ricoh Arena saga. She also voted in favour of the council’s decision to sell its stake in the stadium to Wasps back in 2014.

Asked if she thought the council’s approach of non-engagement was the correct way to find a long term solution for the football club, she said: “I do agree with the council’s stance. I went through the whole thing right from the start.”

She added: “We tried getting people together when Ann Lucas was in charge and the judicial review was hanging over us.

“The quickest way to deal with the issue is for the owners to drop the legal action. That has to be the right approach.”

Colleen Fletcher after being elected as Labour MP for Coventry North East

Mrs Fletcher on the EFL

The MP also expressed concerns over the possibility the club could leave the city again.

She said: “Everything is so elusive with the Football League. They are so evasive and won’t give definitive answers which makes me think it could happen again.

“I’m not sure they are doing the stuff they actually should be to make sure we don’t get to that situation again.”

She added: "When I spoke to them last year they didn't even know where the rugby ground was."